Lower Phosphates or Zeovit?

[ReefRockerLive]

Should I lower my Phosphates as much as possible or simply let the beginning of Zeovit take care of that?

Also, does anyone who carries the Zeovit Basic 4 live close to CT, I need to save a few dollars on shipping.

Thanks

[wasp]

Don't know what your phosphate is at present, but you should use good husbandry always, zeovit is not a magic bullet.

Zeovit will assist to bring your phosphate down, but there is a learning curve with it, or at least there has been for me. Be prepared to go slowly but keep things moving in the right direction.

[ReefRockerLive]

My phosphates are at 0.03 now and 5g water changes are done once a week. With so little phosphates, should I let Zeovit take care of it or keep on lowering the phosphates?

Thanks

[OUinLA]

contact either www.evolutionaquatics or www.finsreef.com both are sponsors here.

[wasp]

the zeovit will take care of it, I thought you might be talking about super high phosphate levels.
Zeovit does several things, phosphate reduction is just one of them. If a good phosphate / nutrient reduction is desired, adding some extra Start2 will help with this.

[invincible569]

Should I lower my Phosphates as much as possible or simply let the beginning of Zeovit take care of that?

Thanks

Zeovit should take care of it. But if you want to get there faster, you can do the following:

1. Decrease fish bioload.
2. Lower fish feeding & choose frozen over dried.
3. Increase circulation (no dead spots).
3. Add more inverts such as shrimp, snails, stars adn so on.
4. Clean Ca media to the point of no P04 leach. Add Biophos if still present.
5. Consistent water changes.
6. Make sure MH lighting is not longer than 10 hrs.
7. Replace bulbs if exceeded manufacturers end of life recommendation.
8. Maintain and clean skimmer periodically for best performance.
9. Keep Water temperature at 78. The cooler, the better.
10. Replace RO/DI Cartridges at manufacturers recommendation or by testing.

That should be enough items to think about.

[fkadir]

Edward, 1st time I am seeing point no.6 as a resolution for PO4. Whats the rationale behind it?

[invincible569]

Edward, 1st time I am seeing point no.6 as a resolution for PO4. Whats the rationale behind it?

Promotes algae growth and increases water temp if no chiller present. If algae grows over a certain area, you get P04 pockets where detritus is trapped.

[ReefRockerLive]

I guess I'll do that and wait 3 weeks to see how low I can get my Phosphates to before I start Zeovit.

I ordered 50 blue legs and 10 nassarius, astreas, and 10 other snails. I that a good amount of inverts to reduce the chance of Phosphates going up?

[Heinz]

if your PO4 is 0.03 i can't see the problem, you dont want 0.00 anyways,

[TJcop]

9. Keep Water temperature at 78. The cooler, the better.

How does cooler water keep PO4 down? Does it slow the growth of algaes? I thought a higher temp helped with the calcification process in SPS. My tank is at ~80...should I lower it while using Zeo?

[invincible569]

TJ,

You dont have to lower it, but warmer conditions does promote algae growth. You should be ok at 80.